News List

Feb. 22, 2013Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

City to Begin Distributing Blue Recycling Bags Next Month
A shipment of blue recycling bags will be delivered to a City warehouse next week and will be sent to several City facilities for distribution starting next month. Richardson residents will soon receive a letter in the mail from Mayor Bob Townsend that can be taken to Huffhines Recreation Center, the Richardson Senior Center, the City Hall Water Customer Service Desk or Municipal Service Center to be redeemed for two rolls of 26 blue recycling bags.

Through the Blue Bag Program, homeowners can combine all of their recyclable material into one bag and place it out for weekly pickup service. The City recycles all plastics #1-7 (with the exception of Styrofoam), and the City also collects aluminum, tin, steel, empty aerosol cans, newspapers, mixed paper, paper grocery bags, magazines, catalogs, corrugated cardboard, paperboard/chipboard, phone books, junk mail and glass containers (clear and all color glass).

Heights Project Update
Construction crews are continuing demolition of the old Heights Recreation Center building, which served Richardson residents for more than 45 years. Work is ongoing on the new 25,000 square-foot facility and Family Aquatic Center, with the recreation center dedication scheduled for late May and the aquatic center opening in early July.

The new recreation center will include a dedicated game room, full-sized gymnasium, classrooms, multipurpose rooms and workout rooms. The aquatic center will have 8,000 square-feet of surface water and will feature a zero-entry pool with splash playground, current channel, vortex pool, instructional water area, lap swim, double flume slide and more. Both facilities are designed to fit with the surrounding neighborhoods’ midcentury modern architecture and the rec center is designed to be certified as LEED silver.

Council Discusses Neighborhood Park Trails Program
The City Council discussed plans to install new walking trails in four neighborhood parks at its work session Monday. Beginning next month the City is expected to bid out projects to construct new walking trails in Canyon Creek, Point North, Terrace and Woodhaven Grove parks. The new walking trails will be 6-foot-wide concrete and tie into existing ones in and around the parks creating trail loops for pleasure and exercise.

The project is funded through the 2010 Bond Program. Watch the City Council discussion at http://bit.ly/W8uN9M.

City Holds Cultural Arts Master Plan Public Meeting
The Richardson Arts Commission gathered feedback at a public meeting Tuesday on the City’s first-ever Cultural Arts Master Plan. The document will serve as a guide to help strengthen the arts community in Richardson by building synergies among the various performance arts groups and enhancing existing arts facilities in the area.

About 80 people attended the meeting, which was led by members of the Arts Commission and a consultant from Lord Cultural Resources, a firm that is helping develop the master plan. The meeting included a history of the plan, presentation of priorities identified in the draft and an opportunity for public feedback.

The Arts Commission and consultant will use feedback gathered at the public meeting to update the draft before it is presented to the City Council in April. The draft plan is available to view on the City’s website at www.cor.net/CAMP.

Heart to Heart Health Event at Eisemann Center
The public is invited to learn about women’s cardiovascular health at Heart to Heart scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Eisemann Center. The event will include information on staying fit through group exercise, cooking demonstrations and a panel of physicians discussing heart health, treatments and diagnostic options.
For more information, call 972-437-5463.

Next CFA Class Begins March 7
The Richardson Fire Department is accepting applications for the next Richardson Citizens Fire Academy, which begins Thursday, March 7. The free program is designed to give a hands-on look at how the fire department is organized and operates. Topics include emergency medical services, fire safety, fire apparatus operation, special rescue operations and much more.

The academy is open to anyone 21 years of age or older living or working in Richardson or Richardson ISD. The class meets one evening a week for 10 weeks at the Richardson Training Center, 2600 Owens Blvd.

The Swingle Singers to Perform at Eisemann Center
A capella group The Swingle Singers will perform at 8 p.m. tonight at the Eisemann Center. Their repertoire includes classical, jazz, Latin, pop and rock songs, all accompanied by their own vocal rhythm section. The Swingle Singers will be joined by the UT Dallas Chamber Singers’ Glee Choir.
Tickets cost $37 to $55 and are available at www.eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650.

Free Investment Presentation at Library
Investment counselors Norman Tang and Ryan Wood will explain how to use Library resources to pick stocks at a free presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Richardson Public Library in the Basement Program Room. The event is the February offering in the Library’s ongoing Lunchtime Lecture series.

Attendees are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. No registration is required. For more information, call 972-744-4350.

Chocolate, Blues and Business Networking Festival at Civic Center
The Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festival will come to the Civic Center on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The festival is a business-to-business networking event that will include a business expo, door prizes, networking games, workshops, business coaching, brainstorming circles and more.

Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week
Herman came in as a stray. He is about 3 years old, dewormed, heartworm negative, and up to date on all his vaccinations. He's a bit shy at first but will open up quickly. Loves walks and giving hugs. Would probably do best in household with no other dogs and with older children. Contact the Animal Shelter (972-744-4480) about Herman or other animals available for adoption.